Saturday, May 19, 2012

Namaskarams to Sri Naarayana Bhattadiri who gave us this "Song of Solace"

Dasaka 12

O Lord! Seeing the earth submerged in the ocean, Manu (son of Swayambhu or Brahma) seeked Lord Brahma's help in Satyaloka. He was accompanies by the sages Sanaka and others who are your devotees. (1)

Manu beseeched Brahma: "O Brahma born of the lotus! While I was creating new beings, the earth fell into the ocean. Please save the earth and find a place for the newly created beings." Brahma then meditated on your Lotus Feet. (2)

O Lord! You heard Brahma's cry for help. You then emerged as a boar from his nostril. (3)

When you first emerged as a boar, you were only the size of a toe, but soon grew as large as an elephant. Brahma and his sons were wonderstruck, seeing your growth. (4)

Brahma wondered: "Is this the Maya of the invincible Lord Vishnu? Who is this mighty boar who has emerged from my nostril?" At this time, you grew as large as a mountain and gave a fearsome grunt! (5)

The sages in the worlds of Jana, Tapa and Satya heard your loud grunt and started to sing your praises. This pleased you and you plunged into the ocean, grunting again. (6)

O Lord! With your hair standing, your tail raised, eyes rolling and your snout pointed downwards, you pierced through the clouds as you plunged into the ocean. This delighted all the sages. (7)

O Lord! You frightened the dwellers of Rasathala with your grunt, as you searched the ocean (that was filled with crocodiles and whales) for Goddess Earth. (8)

O Lord Varaaha! You found the earth at the bottom of Rasathala and easily took the earth in your tusk, disregarding the demons who were pursuing you. (9)

O Lord in the form of the playful boar, who effortlessly saved the earth, please protect me from my disease! (10)

The sages arrived at the seventh gate of your divine abode, after crossing the six gates and the Naisreyasa garden. (2)

The gate keepers, Jaya and Vijaya stopped the sages from entering Vaikunta. This angered the sages. This happened only because you willed it. (3)

The angry sages cursed Jaya and Vijaya to take on the form of demons, as per their behavior. They begged you to bless them, O Lord, to yet be chanting and remembering your name, even in their demonic forms. (4)

O Lord Vishnu! You then appeared in your charming form along with Goddess Lakshmi, riding on Garuda (the eagle), and delighted the sages. (5)

Out of compassion for your attendants, you blessed them that they may attain you through three births of enmity towards you. (6)Jaya and Vijaya were born to Sage Kashyapa and Diti as the twin demons, Hiranyaaksha and Hiranyakashipu. They were conceived at an inauspicious time of day (dusk), and so were cruel by nature and deeds. (7)The twins shook the world with their merciless exploits, blinded by their natural tendencies. (8)Of the two, Hiranyaaksha, could not find a match for his might and so captured the Earth Goddess and immersed her in the ocean. (9)O Lord! Hearing about your glory, Hiranyaaksha set out in search of you, so as to fight and subdue you! O Lord of Guruvayoor! You are the seat of mercy! Please cure me of my disease! (10)